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HEllo everone!!! 2day is my 3rd day home! I have been well. I am still on my Clear liquids. My hubby and family/friends that come and visit have been very supportive. I am able to have homemade broth, sugar free jell-0, gatorade, and apple juice. My bowels started returning When Igot home Saturday. As expected,they were loose and dark. I swear I spent more time in the bathrooom that night! I got a call from the nurses to ask how things are going. It was good to know they were concerned and helpful. I mentioned the whole loose stools and they asked what I was drinking. after I explained I felt it was the apple juice, they told me I might have been experiencing my first "dumping syndrome" even though my apple juice is 100% fruit juice it still contains high natural sugars. I was told to try and dilute it 50/50 with Water. SO far this has helped. Pain management is going well I walk at least 5 min 3 times a day. Somedays I feel a litte more pain and other days I feel good. I have my post op tomorrow, I am anxious to know if and what I have lost since surgery and what amount was water wieght. I will then be able to move up to the full liquids. I will be able to have my yogurt again! Cream of wheat, shakes! I will do this for 3 days. Then By friday I should be able to start on my pureed! I cant wait, I have so many recipes i mind I have found on various bariatric sites! I know the food might not look so pleasant but At least it would have the taste of real foods again:) I still cant believe my waiting and surgery are now over! Let the weight lost begin DOes anyone know where I can make a weight lost tracker?????? THanks!!!!!

Playing devil's advocate here. It sounds like the dividing wall between the new pouch and the remaining part of the stomach wasn't finished. I would guess this was because the liver was too large and in the way. I think a lot of people have misconceptions about laparascopic surgery, that b/c it's easier on the patient, it's easier on the surgeon as well. This is simply not true. Imagine if you had to sew a sleeve onto a shirt, but you couldn't actually use your hands. Instead, the whole thing is inside a box, which is also filled with packing peanuts, and the shirt is attached at various places inside the box, and all you have is a tiny camera and light inserted into the (dark) box at one area, and various instruments on lines inserted elsewhere. I am a veterinarian, I don't do laparoscopic surgeries (primarily b/c the cost to do so generally is beyond what most people want to pay for a non-specialist). Even with the abdomen fully open stem to stern, it can be very difficult to work around the liver and spleen, and my patients don't usually have a fatty liver, or adhesions from previous surgeries. It sounds like his surgeon worked hard for as long as he could but realized that his arms and back were getting fatigued (and likely he had already done 1 or 2 other surgeries that day) and was getting nowhere, and when you get tired you are more likely to make mistakes. Had he continued he might have nicked the spleen or hepatic artery, etc. Would you have wanted him to call in another surgeon who likely doesn't even do bariatric surgery? personally it sounds exactly like what I just went through with my surgery on Sep 9 - my fatty liver was in the way, and rather than do a partial, my surgeon opted to close up and try again after a liver-shrinking diet in a month's time. My surgeon said he could have done a partial but that the opening would be larger and I would probably end up needing a revision 6 mos down the road. It sounds like you just didn't get all the information from your surgeon yet. I hope that is the case and that he is planning to revise it for you. But I would be thankful to your surgeon for his good judgment instead of "going big" and possibly causing you a much worse outcome.

I had RNY gastric bypass surgery 31 months ago and I would recommend GB or sleeve over LB. I have encountered too many patients who had LB and later had to have a revision because of problems with LB. You might also start attending bariatric surgery support group meetings. Generally these are held once per month and are free. That will allow you to meet and talk with people who either are undergoing this process or have recently had surgery.

I bought a bariatric liquid Vitamin at GNC. Had a real strong vitamin taste and smell.....don't get it on your skin or clothes....it won't come off. I saw this earlier on another post....you might want to check it out... http://www.procarenow.com/Bariatric-Complete-Chewable-MultiVitamin-Once-Per-Day--Formulated-for-Roux-en-Y-Vertical-Sleeve-Duodenal-Switch-30-Day-Supply_p_10002.html

TWI is exactly right. My insurance is one which will deny you if you lose too much during the 6 month diet. My primary care doctor was wonderful in understanding this and helped me manage those few pounds that I would lose and gain back during my six month ( or what turned into 12) diet. He said that with me losing some and then gaining, it showed to my insurance that I was making an attempt;however that I was not being successful. My bariatric office was also good from the beginning about knowing what exactly my insurance would need and amounts. In fact, during my first attempt, they let me know that I would probably get a denial because of having the one year that was one BMI point too low. Everything that they advised me was dead accurate. If your center is a Center of Excellence, then they can probably tell you down to the penny what your out of pocket costs will be along with all requirements since they perform so many procedures. I left the seminar, knowing exactly what portion my insurance would cover, what extra requirements ( physical therapy, nutrition , 6 month diet, and 3 years of records), and even down to my copay for the nutritionist .

@@OKCPirate, thanks for the link to the article. There is definitely something to be said for believing one has the power of choice. I think it may be similar to self-efficacy, or how capable we believe we are at doing something. At some point, as you and @nyteacher12 say, who cares? Regardless of how we got to be obesity, we (at least those of us who decided to get bariatric surgery) know how we’re going to lose the weight: with WLS and changes in habits. Yes, the human mind is a complicated thing, @@OKCPirate! @@Inner Surfer Girl, I agree 100%!

I use Bariatric fusion brand vitamins, the strawberry ones. Best tasting bariatric Vitamin I've found. My RTD protein of choice is Nature's Best Isopure in "Grape Frost" flavor, with a half a packet of grape flavored drink mix added in. My favorite powdered protein is Six Star, doesn't matter what flavor because I always doctor up the taste. HTH

Tamatha222 I have Aetna federal, you can call to see if your employer pays for the Bariatrics coverage. What I'm finding is you can have the same insurance but it's if your employer opted for the coverage. Best of luck.

now I'm curious also. By the time one enters my decade of life,one has disposed of :gall bladder, appendix,tonsils adenoids. a breast or 2, a kidney or OMG 2 and most if not all of your female organs. And a hip, 1 or 2 knees,and even maybe an ankle fused. Fair to say, every thing has been removed or surgically stabelized, and here you are knocking on the front door of the BAriatric God's begging to have your gastrointestinal system monkeyed with. And that is the portrait I see being painted.🎆

I've had 100+ hours of therapy at http://mocsa.org a few years ago. I was of "normal" weight then. My weight gain took off after I fell down some steps and mangled my right ankle. I had one unsuccessful surgery on it. Later, two ankle reconstruction surgeons told me there was nothing more they could do. I was sedentary and very depressed after that. It doesn't help that I have an autoimmune thyroid condition. I'm not suggesting that more therapy might not help me but a sedentary lifestyle really derailed my ability to walk or do much in the way of weight-bearing exercise. It's been 10 years since I injured my ankle. Morphine is the only thing that even gets close to taking the edge off the pain. (And I tried many other non-narcotic meds first, plus holistic treatments. My PharmD daughter finally explained to me that being dependent on a narcotic for actual pain relief is different from being addicted to a drug when no physical malady is present.) Taking 300mg of morphine per day doesn't give me a "high"; it just helps me move around without writhing in pain. I also take oxycodone for breakthrough pain. Believe me, nobody WANTS to rely on powerful meds like these. It's weird to say, but I often welcome competing sources of pain (gallbladder surgery; lipoma removal, or even my knee replacements) to help keep my brain confused about where the pain is. I expect my bariatric surgery to be no different. There's nothing that my surgeon can do to my body that can overtake the pain I live with everyday. Boo-hoo me.

I am located in Charlotte NC and I am thinking of starting a meetup group for anyone who has either had or is planning to have Bariatric surgery. I would like to do weekly or bi-weekly meetups, something simple like a park walk, meetup for coffee or tea etc..... Would anyone be interested in this? If so comment below and I will update you

My only carb guidance was "no more than 19g at once". Having said that, when sticking to the bariatric eating plan of protein > veggies > carbs, my daily intake is usually under 25g, and most carbs are usually dietary fiber from beans or other sources, which I do not count. Basically carbs are the last thing you want to eat. They're unavoidable in any sort of normal eating, but just minimize them.

I’m in Australia and my clinic had a post op support group and I’ve never actually been. It’s hard enough to catch up with my bariatric doctor, nutritionist and psychologist every few months. I rely heavily on this site so I don’t feel alone in this WLS business!

My bariatric doctor shared it is easy for people post bariatric surgery to trade a food addiction for another unhealthy addiction such as too much alcohol, smoking, overdoing exercise, etc. I suggest you ask yourself why you are smoking and what benefit are you getting and why smoking versus other productive activities. Had lapband surgery 10/12/16

I've taken Trader Joe's High Potency chewable multi's and Wellesse liquid calcium since surgery. My labs have always been great and I don't miss paying tons of extra money for special "bariatric" vitamins. One thing, if you are looking at Calcet or Caltrate make sure you are getting calcium citrate, not calcium carbonate. That is something that sleevers need to be very aware of! Calcium carbonate doesn't work well for us.

I said I wouldn't weigh myself until the doctor's office and then yesterday, I was following a thread that said you are supposed to lose 20 lbs the first two weeks post op. Unlike some people, my doctor and Bariatric Center allowed me "full" liquids the first week (meaning milk-based products) and cottage cheese (which can be chewed). So, I was never on clear liquids post-surgery. My walking has consisted of using a tread mill a few times (at my neighbor's house) and real-world walking (shopping trips, etc). I haven't pushed myself harder because I DO FEEL IT when I am done on the tread mill or shopping. Overdid it grocery shopping. Didn't lift anything heavier than 10 1bs, but the stretching, bending, etc...It added up after an hour.

Thanks for the fascinating link. I liked reegers story and voice. I look forward to more bariatric podcasts when I have a bit more time.

You’ve made a commitment to adjustable gastric banding surgery, because you need to improve your overall present and future health. Sounds manageable, shouldn’t be too difficult; the results following bariatric surgery, 1 year, 3 years and so on, will be worth it. So, you have the surgery and, for awhile, it seems like magic, weight is coming off slowly but surely and you are working hard to move toward greater health goals day by day. If all goes well, you will have few bumps in the road, right? Well, that’s the hope, not always the reality. I can tell you this; you are not alone on this journey and you will probably experience a good degree of success with your adjustable gastric band even if you are faced with a struggle from time to time. The challenges and rewards of surgery go hand in hand. The challenges of all patients remain virtually the same: how do we combine all the team professionals, support services, along with family and friends, to make this surgery work for you? It may help to look at the big picture for a moment and remind ourselves of the common issues that weight loss surgery patients may be facing along the way. Here are some common challenges that bariatric patients may encounter at any point in the post-operative journey: YOUR HABITS ARE TOUGH TO BREAK: You are human and make mistakes; you have habits and memories of the way food is woven into your life over the years. YOU ARE BECOMING COMPLACENT: You are very motivated as a surgery patient at the beginning, then become complacent and lose motivation over time, after losing a large amount of weight. YOU'RE OFF TRACK: You experience daily life stress that distracts you from your post surgery lifestyle priorities and commitment to better health. YOU ARE AFRAID TO BE JUDGED: You have gained weight back now that you are 3 or more years post surgery but are embarrassed to reconnect with your surgeon and supports in your bariatric community, patients and professionals alike. In addition to team professional support from your bariatric surgery program here are a few things to consider: CONVICTION: Support and encouragement from family, friends and mentors. Those who have a vested interest in you and your success are the key people who help you post surgery and beyond. Try not to hear all or nothing of what others may say; seek what is helpful to you and leave the rest. Time and education help reassure those around you that your decision to have surgery is a sound one. CONSISTENCY: Staying on a regular schedule with the surgeon’s office consists of regular lap band fills every 6 weeks or more, follow up visits with the nutritionist, regular blood work and support group attendance are ways to promote best results with your adjustable gastric band. SHARING AND RECEIVING: Many patients find the use of individual therapy helpful or a group setting to reinforce continuous learning and lifestyle improvements. This would be recommended in addition to program support group attendance. ONLINE SUPPORT SYSTEMS: Online resources are very helpful as an addition to program as well as personal support. So here are the essential issues of bariatric living: Your consistent awareness of these issues will increase the effectiveness of your weight loss “tool” so you can maintain a long and happy partnership with it. It is an emotional adjustment at times and requires perseverance. You will bicker, even fight at times (with your band) and say things you will regret. Just remember, the band can be very flexible at times and allow you make mistakes but it cannot help you if you do not help yourself. That’s what life partners are supposed to do, right? They provide consistent support through all the ups and downs of life, through good times and bad. You will have a long and prosperous relationship with your gastric band if you work as a team; isn’t that really the goal, after all?

Thank you for this information. I'm 2 weeks out and just saw my surgeon yesterday. They said they don't want me to start vitamins (except B12 - I got a shot) until my next visit in 2 weeks. Still, I looked at some of the "bariatric" vitamins and they do seem pricey. Do you take a sublingual B12? If so, may I ask which one?

This is an exciting journey that we are all are taking....You won't regret it.......It's a miracle and I love my tiny stomach.....Can you ask the surgeon what size bougie he uses. My bariatric surgeon told me that anything under a 40 is good with a straight cut......That way it is less likely to stretch.....wish I knew this before my surgery, I would of asked for a 32 bougie instead of a 34.......But I'm totally happy with a 34. there isn't that much difference.....

Don't take that nurses word for it. I am a nurse and I work in the OR. We take out gallbladder all the time for gallstones. There's different sizes and if one escapes it's a problem. It they just grow it becomes a problem. I've seen gallstones the size of a golfball create a hole in the wall and fistula into the intestines requiring bowel resection. Just saying gall stones can most certainly be a problem. Best advise is to ask your bariatric surgeon. I have not had wls yet (july) but I work with my surgeon (in the OR) and him and his colleagues remove on the post wls patients. Yours may too. Plz don't let this go on and call your surgeon hope this helps! I have had the attacks. They are horrendous. Truly. I had mine removed a few yes ago. I've seen patients in the hospital who let theirs go for a long time and get so ill...Plz call

Thanks to those who responded kindly and respectfully. I should have been more clear: I was not looking for medical advice here, but rather to know if different plans allowed different things. The bariatric community seems to be a large one and there are always differences in plans. My question was if this was one where everyone agreed or were there some of you out there who had a different approach given by your doctors before approaching my dr/nut with my question. Obviously I'd never dream of harming myself by not following medical orders. But reading these responses I see there is no point in even giving them a call, bec there seems to be a unanimous approach to this in the greater community. Thanks, all.

@@Stupid Me -- he purpose of the band is, as @@Bandista said, to dim the appetite. You report not feeling hunger, which suggests that eating whatever and whenever you wanted was no more than individual choice. If not that, I have to wonder whether you were given the information needed before surgery in order to make a sound decision and have reasonable expectations. It's also unclear whether you actually had any fills. Or what the bump may be. I don't know what, if anything, the army requires in the way of clearances before performing bariatric surgery. If the prospective patient doesn't demonstrate an understanding of the purpose of surgery, what is reasonable to expect of it, or understanding of the instructions and capability to follow them, the surgery shouldn't be performed. As "they" say, "Jus' sayin.'" As to an emotional breakdown, I really do hope that was supposed to be a joke.

I have been working with dr. Garber's office of NY bariatrics. I am wondering if anyone else has had their surgery completed by his office and was self pay? If so can you share the cost including endoscopy? Thanks, Laura

Dr. Louisana Valenzuela is also a trauma surgeon as well as bariatric surgeon. See if you can find a guy named Jaime. He is awesome. He is American who lives in TJ and is bilingual. He will get you whatever you want/need within reason (Legal..etc). LOL Great guy to get you sips of drinks, wash cloth, etc.